Massage element



p 3,11929- R. H. HASSLER. 1,726,560

MASSAGE ELEMENT Filed Nov. 26, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR. Kaasar A. flflsszzx.

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R. H. HASSLER 2 Sheets-Sheet MASSAGE ELEMENT Sept. 3, 1929.

Filed Nov.

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Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNETED STATES ROBERT H. HASSLER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

MASSAGE ELEMENT.

Application filed November 26, 1926. Serial No. 150,647.

This invention relates to an improved massaging element for rubbing or massaging the human head or scalp. It provides a construction that is applicable for operation either by hand or by a motor driven massage machine such as is described in my co-pending application Serial No. 136,421 filed September 20, 1926, entitled Massaging device. It is also related in some respects to my co-pending application, Serial No. 136,l22 filed September 20, 1926, entitled Massage element.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a massaging pad or element intended to cover a considerable area of the human scalp. This element or pad is therefore considerably larger than the usual form and it is intended that the massaging machine be provided with a pair of such elements or pads operating in unison with one another so as to massage a considerable portion of the scalp at one time and thus avoid the necessity of moving the device around as much as would be necessary with smaller pads.

In fitting the larger massaging element or pad to the human head one is confronted by the fact that the curvature of the head varies, and it is therefore necessary to provide means for varying the general curvature of the elements to fit the conformation of the scalp when they are operated in different directions either on top of the head or more or less on the sides thereof. To solve this problem the element is constructed with a hinged. ointed or resilient portion and provided with means by which the various parts will tend to adjust themselves to the varying conformation of the head. Means is also provided whereby the pressure exerted by the operator on the massaging device will be distributed in an efficient manner to the various articulations of the element or pad.

The improved element consists of a main or rigid portion which is actuated by the massaging machine or other motive power as fully set forth and described in the above mentioned application. Serial No. 136.422. This main or principal portion is Provided with the usual curved surface having resilient prongs or fingers, and has associated therewith as a continuation of the curved and pronged surface supplementary portions which are hinged or resiliently connected thereto and maintained under spring tension at all times against the scalp. However. variations in the curvature of the head will be compensated for by such connection, and its spring action. Thus in the application of the main portion to the head, the resilient portions or wings will cling tightly thereto and conform to the variations in curvature.

The lower surfaces of the main portion and supplementary wings of the element may be joined by a continuous piece of flexible material such as thin sheet metal so as to fully protect the hair while being massaged, or on the other hand the element may comprise a spring metal plate in which the central portion is reinforced by a rigid mounting.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view. 2 is an end elevation showing a portion thereof in cross section. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the element. Fig. 4 is a modified form, having a pivotal hinge with a flat spring. Fig. 5 is a plan view thereof taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a modified form showing the wing joined by a flat spring. Fig. 7 is a plan view thereof taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a modified form showing the wings formed of resilient sheet metal.

In the drawings there is shown a massaging element having a rigid body portion. particularly designed for attachment to the massaging machine described in application Serial No. 136,421. However, said rigid body portion may be of any desired form or con struction for attachment to various types of machines, or for use in manual manipulation. As shown herein the rigid body portion 10 may be formed of metal, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy, the same being provided with upwardly extending barrels 11 for reception of supporting pins, whereby the ele ment may be sli'dably mounted on the ma chine. Intermediate the barrels 11 there is socket 12 adapted to receive the driving pin for impartin a reciprocating action thereto.

As noted herein. the main or rigid portion of the element 10 is formed with its under surface concave substantially in conformity with the contour of the human scalp. Projecting downwardly and radially to the arc of the concavity there are a plnrality of integrally formed and rigid projections 13 tapering downwardly or awa from the body surface. There may be provided any number of such projections in varying relation to each other, all of which extend substantially equi-distant from said surface. Hingedly connected at each end of the rigid body portion 10 there are supplementary wing portions 1 1 having hinged connection with the main rigid portion at 15. Said wing portions 14 are formed with substantially the same curvature as the main portion so as to in effect be a continuation thereof.

They are similarly provided with ii 3. projections 13 The main rigid portion 10 and the hinged wing portions 14 are provided with complementary barrels 16 and 17 which are adapted to receive and have incased therein the compression springs 18. Such compression springs normally act to force the wings downwardly from the continuation of the are formed by the lower surface of the main por tion so that they will be forced to bear against the curved portions of the head of greater curvature. On the other hand, the springs permit yielding action between the wing and main rigid portion to compensate for those portions of the head of lesser curvature. For this purpose the sirings 18 must be relatively stiff and heavy, suiiiciently to meet the pressure exerted by the operator in applying the element to the scalp.

The flexible member or rubber pad is formed with a substantially flat base 19 from one side of which extends a plurality of rubber fingers 20 tapering away from the base and conforming in general shape to the pin 13. Said fingers are formed with recesses 21 for receiving the rigid projections 13, said recesses tapering to substantially the same ex tent as the projections 13. As the flexible rubber pad is separately and independently formed to fit over the concave surface of the rigid body portion as well as to extend to fit over the concave surface of the wings at each end thereof, the engagement of the pins 13 in the recesses 21 will retain the two members together under normal conditions by reason of the gripping action of the rubber and the wedging action of the tapering pins and recesses in cooperation with the con cave abutting surfaces. Thus the runner pad may be readily slipped into place for operat ing purposes or may be grasped and readily removed when it is desired to cleanse the same. It will be noted that the rubber pad extends over and expands the jointed connection of the several parts whereby he pad or scalp-engaging surface of the device will be continuous and free from any break, at the same time permitting the hinged action above described. This will prevent the catching of the hair of the scalp in the hinged joint and thus protect the hair and scalp from any damaging action in the manipulation of the element.

As shown on the modified form in Figs. 4 and 5, the wing portions let are pivotally hinged to a rigid body portion 10. Rigidly secured to the rigid body portion 10 adjacent its hinged edge there is a spring plate 118 having its free end bearing on the wing portion 14 under spring tension for normally forcing said portion downwardly as indicated by dotted lines 1e, but permitting it to move upwardly to the position shown by the dotted lines 14.

As shown in Figs. 6 and T, 'Lhe wing portion 14- is entirely separated from the rigid body portion 10 excepting wherein it is resiliently 'wonnected thereto by the spring 218 which is rigidly secured at each end to the respective body and wing portions 10 and 14. This permits of substantially the same action as above described. 1

As illustrated in Fig. 8, the so-called body and wing portions are integral, being formed of a continuous sheet of spring metal 319 which is reinforced at its central portion by a rigid casting 110. This leaves the end portions flexible so as to permit them to be flexed upwardly to a position shown by dotted lines for the same purpose as above set forth.

The invention claimed is 1. A massaging element comprising a rigid body portion, a pair of wings hingedly connected at each end thereof, and spring members interposed intermediate the adjacent ends of the rigid portion and the wings for exerting a pressure on the latter so as to force them into operative engagement with the curved surface of the head for permitting them to react under spring tension for confgrming to variations in the curvature there- 0 2. A massaging element comprising a rigid body portion, a pair of wings hingedly connected at each end thereof, complementary cylindrical barrels formed on said rigid portion and wings, and spiral compression springs mounted in said barrels for normally forcing said wings downwardly With respect to said rigid portion for causing them to yieldingly conform to the curvature of the head.

3. A massaging element comprising a rigid body portion having a concave surface, a plurality of projections extending downwardly from said surface, a winged portion having a similar concave surface and hinged at each end thereof whereby the surface of said wings will form a continuation of the surface of said rigid portion, projections extending downwardly from the curvature of said wings, and means for yieldingly permitting said wing portions to be moved out of the are formed by the curved surface of said rigid portion.

4. A massaging element comprising a rigid body portion having a concave surface, a plurality of projections extending downwardly from said surface, a winged portion having a similar concave surface and hinged at each end thereof whereby the surfaces of said wings will form a continuation of the surface of said rigid portion, projections extending downwardly from the curvature of said wings, and a compression spring positioned intermediate said rigid portion and the respective hinged wings for normally forcing said wings downwardly beyond a continuation of the are through the curved surface of said rigid portion and permitting them to vary their position with respect to said are under spring tension.

5. A massage element comprising a rigid body portion having a concave massaging surface provided with downwardly extending fingers, relatively movable end portions associated therewith and provided with corresponding massaging fingers, and yielding means associated with said body and end portions for permitting relative movement therebetween and causing said end portions to conform to variations in the curvature of the head when applied thereto.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

ROBERT H. HASSLER. 

